The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-15

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! ably enhance the cost of such bonds to the
government. 1t has been suggested that
the present bonded debt might be refund
! ed at a less rate of interest, and the differ
ence between the old and the new securi-
ties paid in cash, thus finding use for the
surplus in the treasury. The success of
this plan, it is apparent, must depend up
on the volition of the holders of the pres
ent bonds; and it is not entirely certain
that the inducement which must be
offered them would result in more finan-
cial benefit to the government than the
purchase of bonds, while the latter pro-
posal would reduce the principal of the
debt by actual payment instead of extend
"The proposition to deposit the money
held by the oyernmenti In banks through
out the country for use by the people, is,
it seems to me, exceedingly objectionable
in principle, as establishing too close rela-
tfonship between the operations of the
government treasury and the business OF
the country, and too extensive commin-
CLING of their money, thus fostering an
unnatural reliance In private business up
on public funds. If this scheme should be
adopted it should only be done as a tenn
porary expedient to meet an urgent neces-
sity. Legislative and executive effort
should generally be in the opposite direc-
ton and should have a tendency to di-
vorce, as much and as fast as can safely
be done, the treasury department from
Pi1NdtC lCIpEI6c. Vi COuTS6 IL Is HUI 6A-
pected that unnecessary and extravagant
appropriations will be made for the pur-
pose of avoiding the Accumulation of an
excess ofrevenue. Such expenditure, be-
sides the Generalization of all just con-
ceptions of public duty which it entails,
stimulates habit of reckless improvi-
dence not in the least consistent with the
mission of our people or the high and ben
encent purposes OF our government.
Il have deemed 1t my duty to bring to
the knowledge of my countrymen, as well
as to the attention of their representatives
charged with the responsibility of legisla-
tive relief, the gravity Of our financial sit
uation. The failure of the congress here
tofore to provide against the dangers
which it was quite evident the very ma
ture of the difficulty must necessarily pro-
duce caused condition of financial dis
tress and apprehension since your last adj
journment which taxed to the utmost all
the authority and eXpedients within eX-
ecutive control; and these appear now to
be exhausted. If disaster results from
the continued inaction of congress the re-
sponsibility must rest where it belongs.
Though the situation thus far consid-
cred Is fraught with danger which should
be fully realized, and though it presents
features of wrong TO the people as well as
peril to the country, it is but a result
growing out of a perfectly palpable and
apparent cause, constantly reproducing
the same alarming circumstances-a con-
gested national treasury and q depleted
monetary cOQOlUlOn IN Ilo business OF Ul6
country. 1t need hardly be stated that,
while the present situation demands
remedy, we can only be saved from like
predicament in the future by the removal
of its cause.
Our scheme of taxation, by means of
which this needless surplus is taken from
the people and put into the public treas
ury, consists of a tariff or duty levied up
ON importations from abroad and the in
ternal revenue taxes levied upon the con-
ON ion of fnh nd irsif
malt liquors. 1t must be conceded that
none of the things subjected to internal
revenue taxation are, strictly speaking,
necessaries; there appears to be no Just
consumers of these articles, and
there seems to be nothing so well able to
bear the burden without hardship to any
portion of the people.
REVISE THE TARIFF LAWS
But our present tariff laws, the vi
cious, inequit able and illegal source of un-
necessary taxation. ought to be at once re-
vised and amended. These laws, as their
primary and plain effect raise the price to
consumers of all articles imported and
subject.to duty by precisely the sum paid
for such duties. Thus the amount of the
duty measures the tax paid by those who
purchase for use these imported articles.
Many of these things, however are raised
or manufactured in our own country, and
the duties now levied upon foreign grams
and products are called protection to these
home manufactures, because they render
it possible for those of our people who are
manufacturers to make these taxed arti-
cles and sell them for price equal to that
demanded for the imported goods that
have paid customs duty. So it happens
that, while comparatively few use the
imported article, millions of our people
who never use and never saw any of the
foreign products purchase and use things
of the same kind made in this country,
and pay there or nearly or quite the same
enhanced price which the duty adds to the
imported articles. Those who buy i'm
ports pay the duty charged thereon into
the public treasury, but the great majority
of our citizens, who buy domestic articles
of the same class, pay sum at least ap-
proXimately equal to this duty to the home
manufacturer. This reference to the op
Grafton of our tariff laws is not made by
way, of instruction, but in order that we
may be constantly reminded of the man.
ner in which they impose burden upon
those who consume domestic products as
well as those who consume imported arti-
cles, and thus create tax upon all our
people.
"lt is not proposed to entirely relieve
the country of this taxation. 1t must be
extensively continued as the source of the
governments income and in readjust-
ment of our tariff the interest of Ameri-
can labor engaged in manufacture should
be carefully considered as well as the
preservation OF our manufacturers. 1t
I4dJ Oc Cd1cu piOOcCtkOil, ny dug JULIET
name, but relief from the hardships and
dangers on our present tariff laws should
be devised with especial precaution against
imperiling the existence of our nanufact
uring interests, but this existence should
not mean a condition which, without re-
gard to the public welfare or national
exigency, must always insure the realiza-
tien of immense profits instead of moder-
ately profitable returns. AS the volume
and diversities of our national activities
increase new recruits are added to those
who desire continuation of the advan-
tages which they conceive the present sys
tenn of tariff taxation directly affords
them. So stubbornly have all efforts tc
reform the present condition been resisted
by those of our fellow-citizens thus en-.
gagged that they can hardly complain OF
the suspicion, entertained to a certain ex-
tent, that there exists an organized COM
bination along the line to maintain their
advantage.
I'VE are in the midst of centennial cele-
bratiOns, and with becoming pride we re-
jOice in American skill and ingenuity, in
American energy and enterprise, and III the
wonderful natural advantages and resources
developed by century's national growth
Yet when an attempt is made to justify
scheme which permits q. tax TO be laid upon
every consumer in the land for the benefit
of our manufacturers, quite beyond
reasonable demand for governmental re-
gard, 1t suits the purposes OF advocacy TO
call our manufactures infant industries. still
needing the highest and greatest degree of
favor and fostering care that can be wrung
from federal legislation.
ut is also said that the increase in the
price of domestic manufactures resulting
from the present tariff Is necessary in
| order that higher wages may be paid to our
wOrkingmen employed in manufactures
| than are paid for what is called the pauper
| labor of Europe. All will acknowledge the
| force of argument which involves the well
| fare and liberal compensation of our labor
| ing people. Our labor is honorable in the
| eyes of every American citizen, and, as it
| lies at the foundation of our development
! and progress, it is entitled, without atfecta-
ton or hypocrisy, to the utmost regard.
i The standard of our laborer's life should
not be measured by that of any other
country less favored and they are entitled
| to their full share of all our advantages.
"By the last census it is made to appear
that of the II, 80 20 of our population en-
| gagged in all kinds of industries, 1870, 493
are employed in agriculture, 4,074,2s in
professional and personal service e. 944, S76
| of whom are domestic servants and labor
ers), while 1910, ,256 are employed in trade
| and transportation, and ,S57, IL are classed
as employed in manufacturing and mining
For present purposes, however, the last
\ Uivan SlOuln q pOnSidara hiy ra-